diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-0.txt | 1082 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-0.zip | bin | 22478 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-h.zip | bin | 219414 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-h/60477-h.htm | 1523 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 96310 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/60477-h/images/frontis.jpg | bin | 98879 -> 0 bytes |
9 files changed, 17 insertions, 2605 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..46266e7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #60477 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/60477) diff --git a/old/60477-0.txt b/old/60477-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 22e6a01..0000000 --- a/old/60477-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1082 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Peck's Adventures, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: Miss Peck's Adventures - The Second Part of The Conceited Pig - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: October 12, 2019 [EBook #60477] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS PECK'S ADVENTURES *** - - - - -Produced by MFR, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -[Illustration: - - M. D. SEARS - SEE PAGE 8 -] - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - MISS PECK’S ADVENTURES. - - - THE SECOND PART - - OF - - The Conceited Pig. - - - - - ---------------------------- - - - - - LONDON: - - JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, - - AND NEW BOND STREET. - - MDCCCLIV. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - LONDON: - PRINTED BY JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO., - ALDERSGATE STREET. - - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - MISS PECK’S ADVENTURES. - - --------------------- - - -Any people who may happen to have read the story of “Wilful, the -Conceited Pig,” will recollect how he had called up his friend, Miss -Peck, one night, from the henhouse, where there had been a great -disagreement between her and Cock-a-doodle, and how they had set off -together to the Queen’s house, to tell Her Majesty some very curious -news; also how they had very soon parted company, not being able to -agree as to which was the right road, and how Wilful’s journey had come -to a very sad end, long before he was anywhere near the palace of Her -Majesty the Queen. Now they may also like to know something of Miss -Peck’s adventures; and I am therefore going to relate them, thinking -that, perhaps, we may find almost as much to take warning by, in her -history, as in Wilful’s conceit, and the terrible punishment it met -with. - -Miss Peck felt rather lonely at first, when she found herself out in the -dusky lane alone, at that time of night; but still she could not help -chuckling to think how Wilful had persisted in taking the wrong road, -and was travelling all for nothing, whilst she was sure to reach the -Queen’s house in time, if her poor legs would but carry her far enough. - -“There is no need to go so fast, at any rate,” she thought to herself. -“If we got to the palace so early in the morning very likely Her Majesty -the Queen would not be up, as I would have told Wilful, only he never -will stop to listen to a word one has to say. Why our old David at home -never gets up to give us our breakfast till Cock-a-doodle has walked -round the yard several times, talked to all his family, told them his -dreams—which, I must, say, I am very tired of hearing—and crowed over -and over again. I am sure if it were not for the early walk into the -rick-pen, which I make a point of taking every morning, and the little -bit of support that I get there, I should be dead with hunger long -before breakfast time; but nobody ever seems to remember how delicate my -health is, and old David would not get up a bit the sooner, I verily -believe, if I were dying. However, it is better than if Betsy Chopper -had the feeding of us entirely, for I know that the smoke never begins -to come out of the kitchen chimney till a little while before she gives -us our dinner, and what the family do for something to eat I never can -think. The poor ladies, I know, never look out of window or get a breath -of air till the middle of the day in summer, and I believe they have no -rick-pen to go to, and are obliged to wait till Betsy Chopper chooses to -get up and feed them. The Queen may very likely not be as late as Betsy -Chopper; but it is ten to one if she is as early as old David, so there -can be no occasion to hurry oneself.” - -So Miss Peck walked on in a leisurely manner, picking her way along the -dirty lane, as well as the darkness would allow, and every now and then -stopping a minute or two to rest her poor legs by turns. - -Now not very far from Miss Peck’s own residence there stood a poor -tumble-down cottage, in which lived an old woman, who kept a thin -tortoiseshell cat and a little poultry. And on each side of the small -wicket-gate leading to the cottage—which was close to the lane—stood a -very thick yew-tree, cut into the form of a sugar-loaf at the top. Miss -Peck was not brave, and when she reached this part of the lane, and saw, -as she thought, two black giants, with plumes on their heads, standing -not far before her, she was so horribly frightened that she screamed -with all her might, and was very near running back the way she came, -faster than she had ever run before. However, she had just resolution -enough to stop and think what was best to be done, when, strange to say, -one of the giants seemed to cry out Cock-a-doodle-doo, in a voice of -thunder, and, all at once, came flapping down upon poor Miss Peck, -rolling her over in the mud, and nearly driving all the breath out of -her body with the shock and the terror. Getting on her legs again -somehow or other, she ran behind a little heap of stones, where she -stood panting and trembling, and with ruffled feathers, when again the -same hateful cry rang in her ears, repeated three times, even louder -than before—“Cock-a-doodle-doo, Cock-a-doodle-doo, Cock-a-doodle-doo!” -Scarcely daring to look round, and expecting every instant to be -swallowed up alive, or torn to pieces by one of the giants, Miss Peck -wished herself safe at home again, with all her might, in spite of -Cock-a-doodle’s tyranny, when, luckily, there came a faint gleam of -light, and she saw, as she thought, Cock-a-doodle himself sitting on the -top of the little wicket-gate between the two yew-trees. Could it have -been he who had given her such a fright on purpose, or had he come out -all this way to find her, and bring her home, and tell her how sorry he -was not to have shown her more attention? She crept a little nearer, -and, hoping to move his pity, gave a faint cry, as if she were in great -pain and distress. “Who is that?” said a voice, which was not -Cock-a-doodle’s; and Miss Peck replied directly “that she was an -unfortunate young person who was travelling across the country on -business of importance, and she hoped that the gentleman to whom she was -speaking, whoever he might be, would take pity upon her, and protect her -from the dangers which surrounded her, for, indeed, she never was so -frightened in all her life, and she did not know how she should ever -find courage to continue her journey.” - -“But, madam, might I ask,” said the gentleman on the gate, “what the -important business is, which obliges you to be on the road at this time -of night?” - -“I will tell you, sir, with the greatest pleasure,” said Miss Peck, -“although my poor nerves are so shaken that I can scarcely speak, but if -you could come a little nearer I should not be obliged to talk so loud.” - -“Oh, you will not disturb the old woman,” said her new acquaintance, -“and as to the old cat, I saw her go by some time ago, and I believe she -is spending the evening with the young jackdaws, who live in the -church-roof. She has taken a great fancy to that family lately, and says -that she finds them very agreeable, though shy; but I should doubt -whether they were very fond of _her_, for you must know, madam, that the -old cat is, in my opinion, one of the most conceited and selfish persons -that ever lived, and if the old woman knew all her bad ways I do not -think that she could allow her to continue in the house.” - -“Ah, indeed!” said Miss Peck, “well do I know, sir, what it is to have -to do with that sort of people. From your account I should fear that the -old cat was very little better than Cock-a-doodle himself.” - -Miss Peck then proceeded to give a long history of Cock-a-doodle’s -unkindness to her, her own dreadful sufferings from spasms, which -deprived her of her natural rest,—Miss Spangle’s spitefulness, in -continuing fast asleep without once offering to help her,—and then the -whole account of Wilful’s visit to the henhouse, and their setting off -together to tell the Queen that the stars were falling out of the sky. - -“And now, sir,” added Miss Peck, “perhaps you will do me the great -kindness to tell me your name, for I have no doubt now, that it was -entirely owing to your interference, that I was not swallowed alive by -one of those horrible giants, which gave me such an alarm just now.” - -“My name, madam,” answered the stranger, “is Cockielockie, at your -service, but I think, owing to your youth and inexperience, you have -probably mistaken these two respectable old yew trees, in one of which -the seven ladies of my family are sleeping at this moment, for giants, -or perhaps their shadows across the road deceived you, or it might be -the old cat returning from her visit to the Jackdaws. At any rate, -madam, here are no giants, I assure you, for the truth is that the old -woman leads such a dull life that no giant ever comes near the place, -and I have not seen so much as the face of Tim Scamp, the little pedlar, -for the last six months. It is very sad to live so out of the world, and -I must confess that I should like a little more society. The old woman -is so particular and old-fashioned; and the cat is so ill-mannered and -vulgar, that it is very trying to one’s patience, and I do not find much -comfort in my own family, for I am sorry to say that they are always -quarrelling. I cannot speak to one without the other’s being jealous, -and to tell the truth, (though I am sure you will not repeat it,) I was -awoke just now by the screams of my two daughters, Partridge and -Speckle, who had had their ears boxed by Mrs. Cockielockie, for saying -that they knew I wished she was dead! If I do wish it, they need not -have told her so, and now I shall never hear the last of it. If I could -but get away for a time, it might blow over, or Mrs. Cockielockie might -be gone.” - -“Well, my dear sir,” said Miss Peck, interrupting him, “why cannot you -come with me to the Queen? It would be an opportunity of introducing -yourself to the very highest society, and I should be delighted with the -honour of your company. Indeed, I really feel very lonely, travelling -all by myself, and am very much in want of protection, which is just -what I am sure, sir, you are always ready to afford to a poor weak young -creature, like myself, though whenever one complains of helplessness, it -seems to make some people, that I could mention, more spiteful and -tyrannical than ever!” - -“Believe me, dear madam,” said Cockielockie,—who was very much pleased -at the idea of paying a visit to the Queen,—“believe me, that never -could be my case, I will accompany you instantly with the greatest -pleasure, and I trust that, if we should meet with any enemies on the -road you will find my spurs quite able to defend you from them. Under -these circumstances, madam, I shall set off without giving my usual -crow, which, hitherto, I have never failed to perform at this hour. It -was my dear mother’s first and last lesson to me. She took the greatest -pains to teach it me when young, and I remember how vexed she used to be -when I forgot my crows, or cut them so short that no one could -understand what I said, or did not repeat them exactly at the right -time. She told me that if I went on so I should be good for nothing, and -might as well be boiled at once; and the last thing she said to me, -before she disappeared, and I fear was boiled herself, was, ‘Cockie, -mind your crows.’ To tell the truth, however, now, my dear Miss Peck, I -am afraid of waking the ladies in the yew-tree. Mrs. Cockielockie would -make such a fuss, and then the old woman might be disturbed, for though -she is very deaf, I have heard the cat say that she always hears when -you most wish she should not; for there was a small piece of the tail of -a red herring which she promised one evening at supper to give to -her,—at least so Mrs. Puss told me,—and then she put it away in the -cupboard, and went to bed, and forgot it! So the cat being hungry, could -not go to sleep, and was just getting into the cupboard, to eat her own -bit of fish, when down came the old woman to know what all that -scratching and scrambling was about, and the cat was forced to pretend -to be catching a mouse, and never got the herring after all, for the old -woman locked it up, and took the key away with her. I think, therefore, -madam, although it seems to be neglecting one’s duties, that we had -better set off as quietly as possible.” - -So saying, Cockielockie shook himself gently, brushed his feathers, -scraped his claws, and then came down from the little wicket-gate, on -which he had all this time been sitting, and asked Miss Peck if she was -now ready to go on. - -Miss Peck, having quite recovered from her fright, had been impatient to -proceed on her journey all the time that Cockielockie was talking, so on -they went, talking pleasantly all the way of their different sufferings, -and the hard trials they each of them met with from undeserved -persecutions at home. - -And they went, and they went, and they went down the lane, round the -turning, and up the hill to the left, till they saw something white -moving slowly on before them which, when they came nearer, seemed to be -a duck, but its head hung down so wretchedly, its wings were so -drooping, and its whole air so forlorn, that Miss Peck herself doubted, -at first, what it could be. But when they came quite close, they saw -that they were not mistaken, so Cockielockie, who had always a word for -everybody, said in a cheerful manner: - -“How do you do, Duckiedaddles? You are up early this dark morning. Where -may you be going to, if I may venture to ask the question?” - -The duck shook her head sadly, heaved a sigh, and said: - -“Oh, Cockielockie, I am a poor wretched creature, who can find no -pleasure in life, and have had great misfortunes, and so I am going to -consult an old friend, who lives a little way off, about making my will, -and then return home, and hang myself in the well rope, behind the -carthouse.” - -“Oh, pray, my dear madam,” exclaimed Miss Peck, “pray do not say such -shocking things, or you will quite overcome me, for my feelings are very -soon upset, owing to my unfortunate spasms. I am sure that my friend, -Cockielockie, will be able to do everything in the world for you, if you -will only explain the case to him.” - -“Thank you, Hennypenny,” answered the duck, while her tears fell fast: -“I will tell you all about it, though I fear that Cockielockie will -never be able to do me any good. My sorrow is owing to my having had my -family taken away from me, and my own little ones brought up by a -stranger, and one of the last persons whom I should ever have chosen to -put them under. One evening I was returning home, having been out for a -little walk round the shrubbery with my friend Mrs. Gobble, when I found -that my nest was taken away, and so the tiresome life that I had been -leading, sitting there, day after day, for hours together, was all -trouble for nothing. It was the third time that the very same thing had -happened to me, and whether it was one of Master Samuel’s mischievous -tricks, or, whether Jem, the old carter, who was always meddling with -what did not concern him, was at the bottom of it, I could not guess, -for I was then far from suspecting the right person; and so was Mrs. -Gobble, for I went to her directly, and though she was sorry to see me -vexed, she said it was a good thing that I should not have to stay at -home so much, for she was sure I must have been nearly moped to death, -and she would not have led such a dull life, for all the little yellow -ducklings that ever were seen. So I got over my disappointment as well -as I could, and I remember that a party of us went out walking that -evening, and the weather was beautiful, pouring rain every minute, and -puddles running here and there, and everything so nice and wet, and I -caught eleven large slugs, and felt much more contented. Indeed I had -quite forgotten all about it, when, a long time afterwards, as I was -coming in from a swimming match with some friends, one morning, what -should I see but six or seven handsome little yellow ducklings, running -in and out of a new house, which stood not far from the water. I looked -very hard at them, for I suspected how it was, and as I passed close to -the house, which was open in front, I looked in, and saw Mrs. Topknot -sitting there as grand as could be, and spreading herself out as if she -did not know how to be proud enough. She was always giving herself airs, -I must tell you, and never was so civil to me as she ought to have been, -but being of a meek disposition myself, I just stopped for a minute, and -said, ‘Good morning, Mrs. Topknot. Whose is this lovely young family -that you seem to have about you?’ ‘Whose?’ she answered, as shortly as -possible. ‘Why your own to be sure, Mrs. Daddles, and I am going to -bring them up, for everybody knows that you are such a gossiping, -gadabout creature, that you are not fit to have the management of a -family. You may think yourself very lucky that your young ones should be -placed under the charge of such a wise and well-informed person as I am, -instead of being left to shift for themselves, as they would be if they -depended upon your care.’ - -“I was so full of grief and anger at hearing this speech, that I could -hardly speak, and, as if to enrage me still more, Mrs. Topknot called -out to the ducklings to come to her directly, and I saw that the little -dears did not dare to disobey her; so in they ran, and she shuffled them -all under her wings, and would not even let me look at them, but one got -his head half-out, and peeped at me, as much as to say, that if he could -do as he liked, he would not be squeezed up in that way long. - -“‘And do you really mean to refuse to let me take away my own little -ducklings, Mrs. Topknot?’ said I, ‘because, in that case I shall go -immediately to Jem, the carter, and get him to wring your neck!’ - -“Mrs. Topknot only gave a scornful laugh and answered, ‘As if anybody -would mind what you said, indeed! You should have stayed at home, and -attended to your own affairs instead of always sauntering about with -that lazy Mrs. Gobble. Be thankful that your family are sure of a good -education. I shall not allow them to get into any of the dirty, dabbling -ways, that you, and all your relations, are so fond of, I can tell you!’ - -“‘Very well, Mrs. Topknot,’ I answered: ‘I see you think yourself wiser -than everybody else, as usual; but depend upon it, though you may bring -up very good chickens, you will never make good ducklings as long as you -live. It is quite a different thing, and so I shall tell Jem, the -carter, since he has not the sense to know it already. Pray can you -swim, Mrs. Topknot? Can you earn an independent living in a gutter? Can -you eat slugs? You know that you, and all your family, are poor, -helpless, delicate creatures, afraid of getting your feet wet, and -obliged to live on the charity of Jem, the carter. How should you be -able to bring up young ducklings to do their duty in their own station? -You are quite mistaken if you expect ever to make chickens of them. I -know by the look of their feet, that they will take to the water in -spite of you, and then pray what will you do? Just let them come with -me, and I will soon show you what little ducklings are made for. You -have no right to keep my children squeezed up in that corner, where they -can scarcely breathe. I know you will kill them before you have done.’ - -“So I went on, begging and praying Mrs. Topknot to restore to me my own -family, and even shedding tears to move her pity, but all in vain. She -would not mind a word I said, and, in the greatest affliction, I went -off to Mrs. Gobble, to ask her opinion about what was to be done. But -Mrs. Gobble was just going out walking with a friend, and would hardly -find time to listen to my story. She only said, that if I thought Jem, -the carter, would understand anything about it, I should only be -disappointed, for he was always doing the most foolish things, and -making mischief in the yard in almost every family. I felt, therefore, -that it was not of the least use to complain to him, for he would have -been quite as likely to wring my neck, as Mrs. Topknot’s, and being -weary of such an unkind world, and Mrs. Gobble not asking me to go with -her and her friend I determined to hang myself in the well-rope, as I -said; only as I have a small piece of cabbage-leaf behind the pig-sty, -and two young snails in a corner of the garden-wall, I think it best to -make my will; for, my dear Mr. Cockielockie, and Mrs. Hennypenny, you -must now see that my distress is too great to admit of any relief.” - -“My name,” said Miss Peck, rather angrily, as soon as Duckiedaddles -ceased speaking, “is not Hennypenny, Mrs. Daddles; and I must say, -though extremely sorry for your misfortunes, that I think grief must -have confused your mind a little, or you would not have made such a -mistake about a young person like myself. My name is Miss Peck, and I -and my friend Mr. Cockielockie are on our way to Her Most Gracious -Majesty the Queen, to tell her that the stars are all falling out of the -sky.” - -“And I think, Mrs. Daddles,” interrupted Cockielockie, “that you cannot -do better than come along with us, and then you will have an opportunity -of laying your melancholy case before Her Majesty, who very likely will -order Mrs. Topknot and Jem the carter’s heads to be sent to her -immediately; for I know she is particular about her own family, and -would be very angry if any one were to take them away from her, and -instead of letting them grow into good little kings and queens, with -crowns on their heads, as they ought to do, were to try to make them -wear topknots and live upon barley meal.” - -Mrs. Daddles was very willing to agree to Cockielockie’s proposal, for, -as she said, she could see about making her will when she came back. So -they went, and they went, and they went, until, turning a corner of the -lane, what should they see walking towards them, in a grave and solemn -manner, but a goose. - -“Good morning, Duckiedaddles, Cockielockie, Hennypenny,” said she, -bowing very politely at the same time. - -“My name, madam,” said the unlucky Peck, taking care to answer before -the others, “my name is Miss Peck; but you are quite correct as to my -two companions, Mr. Cockielockie and Mrs. Duckiedaddles, who have had -the kindness to accompany me on a journey of great importance, which it -has been my duty to undertake. And I am sure, unused as I am to -travelling alone, I do not know what I should do without the support of -their society. Will you allow me to ask, Mrs. Goosiepoosie, where you -are going to so early in the morning?” - -“I am going,” answered Mrs. Goosiepoosie, putting on an air of great -importance, “to make an early visit to Her Majesty the Queen, on very -pressing business.” - -“To the Queen!” they all exclaimed at once. “Pray, madam, do us the -favour to tell us your errand?” - -“Why, to tell the truth,” replied Goosiepoosie, “it is a secret known -only at present to my own family, but I have no objection to mentioning -it so to such respectable people as yourselves, as I am sure you are -quite to be trusted. You are aware that I and all my family have been -accustomed from generation to generation, to dress in white, and have -hitherto allowed our young ones to wear coats of the same colour as soon -as they are old enough to take care of them. But at last we have quite -grown tired of this style of dress. It was very well for our -grandfathers and grandmothers, but now it looks old-fashioned and dowdy, -and, besides requires a great deal of washing, which makes it expensive; -and so I am going to beg the Queen to give an order for our having in -future black coats, which will be much more becoming, and will entitle -us to as high a place in society as the Turkey family, who now give -themselves such airs and graces over us—as if an old-fashioned British -goose, whose family has belonged to the country and supported the state -in all times, and has led an honest and quiet life from father to son, -were not much more respectable than such upstarts as themselves, who -half ruin all their friends, and cannot speak English so as to be -understood.” - -“Very true, madam,” exclaimed Cockielockie, “your observations have a -great deal of weight, only I almost wonder that you should wish to adopt -any imitation of the dress of these foreigners, instead of retaining -that which your grandfathers and grandmothers seem to have found the -most comfortable and convenient, and, I am sure, would never have -changed for the sake of making themselves more like the Turkeys. If you -are tired of white, why do you not ask leave to wear brown and red coats -like ours, which have always been very much admired, and are so much -handsomer than black ones?” - -“Why, sir,” rejoined Mrs. Goosiepoosie, “I do not see that your coats -are any better than our own; and it is not very likely that Father -Gander and all the heads of the family would have sent me off on such a -long journey to Her Majesty just to ask her leave to change our dress, -for no reason at all.” - -“I thought you said, madam, just now,” replied Cockielockie, rather -slyly, “that you found your old white coats dowdy and expensive. I much -fear, however, that you will be obliged to wear them some little time -longer yet, for as you are going exactly the wrong way, it is not -probable that you will ever reach the palace of Her Majesty the Queen.” - -“I beg your pardon,” replied Goosiepoosie, “but as I consulted old -Father Gander before I started, and have carefully attended to his -directions, which were to keep straight on, without turning to the right -leg or to the left, I cannot possibly have gone wrong.” - -“Well,” exclaimed Miss Peck, rather sharply, “I can only tell you, -madam, that _we_ are now on our way to the residence of Her Majesty, on -very important business indeed, and as we have already travelled some -distance, we expect very shortly to arrive there. It is not likely that -persons of our rank in life should not know where our gracious Sovereign -lives, having, of course, often heard the bells ring on her birthday, -and also assisted Betsy Chopper in clearing away the crumbs, after a -feast that was given us in honour of it, on a large table, under the -chestnut trees, not very long ago. There were a great many cakes and -curious things to eat, but the naughty children came swarming round the -table, and stole them, before we knew of it, though they were all -intended for us; so even Cock-a-doodle got nothing better than -crumbs—and good enough for him, too. He gave Miss Spangle one of the -largest he found, and never offered me a bit, although I was leaning -against one leg of the table, close to him, at the time, and suffering -agonies of pain from a sudden attack of cramp in my poor leg. But such -is the way I have always been treated. However, madam, I can assure you -that you had much better attend to what we say, and not go on in this -direction, or you will never get to your journey’s end.” - -“I am much obliged to you, madam, for your good advice,” replied -Goosiepoosie, with a formal bow, “but Father Gander is certain to be -right, and I shall continue to follow the road which he pointed out.” - -“Then you are an obstinate goose for your pains,” cried Cockielockie, -much provoked, “and may wear your vulgar white coat all your life, for -any chance there is of the Queen’s giving you leave to change it.” - -Goosiepoosie made a very angry reply, and the quarrel might have -continued to this time, but just then old Simon Joggle, the carrier, was -coming along the road, and so loud and vehement had been the dispute -that they did not hear the wheels of his cart till it was quite close to -them. He was driving pretty fast, and they were standing near the middle -of the road, so that there was scarcely time to get out of the way. The -unfortunate Miss Peck screamed violently, and in her agitation, not -thinking where she was going, she ran under one of the cart wheels, and -it was no longer any joke about her poor left leg, for the wheel went -over it and broke the bone. - -Her cries were so terrible, and there was such noise and confusion, and -flapping of wings, at the same instant, that old Simon, who could not -see in the glimmering light what was the matter, stopped his horse and -got out of the cart. Poor Miss Peck, whose screams soon showed him where -she was, tried to get away when he came near her, but she only fell down -in great pain whenever she attempted to move. If the cramp in her leg, -from which she used to suffer so much, especially when she was cross, -had disabled her half as much as this sad accident, Cock-a-doodle could -never have been so barbarous as to refuse to help her up the henhouse -stairs, if fifty Miss Spangles had been near him at the same time. It -was in vain that she struggled, and screamed, and scrambled along the -ground. She was soon in old Simon’s clutches, who was quickly sitting in -his cart again, with the reins in his hand, as if nothing had happened. - -But I fear that something very sad _had_ happened; and I am quite sure, -whatever might be her fate, that poor Miss Peck was never more seen or -heard of, although Cock-a-doodle thought it right to make every inquiry -after her, and was very much shocked at the report which was whispered -about the yard the next morning, that she had escaped from the henhouse, -and gone off on a journey with young Master Wilful the conceited pig. - -But what became of Cockielockie, Goosiepoosie, and Duckiedaddles? They -had suffered a terrible fright, and almost lost their senses, when old -Simon’s cart came so suddenly upon them; Duckiedaddles, being the last -to see the danger, in her haste, somehow knocked herself against one of -the horse’s legs, and was so stunned by the blow that she lay for some -minutes quite insensible. When she recovered she could see nothing of -her companions; old Simon’s cart was just moving away, and there was a -shrieking sound from the inside, which Duckie thought—but it might have -been fancy—must be like the voice of Miss Peck in a very bad spasm. When -the cart was quite out of sight, Duckie hobbled along till she came to a -little brook that crossed the road, and plunging gladly into it, she -swam through an arch under the hedge, and along some meadows, till she -came to a pond, where, to her great delight, she found several of her -own relations enjoying an early swim. She told them her story, with many -tears and complaints, as she had done to Cockielockie and poor Miss -Peck, and begged to know whether she might remain with them, and so -escape for ever from the tyranny and insolence of Mrs. Topknot and Jem -the carter. - -They told her that she was welcome to stay if she pleased, but it was -right to mention that they were particularly subject to very severe -misfortunes, in the frequent losses sustained by their families, as -there was a house very near them, in which a large table was kept, and -at any moment one of them might be seized, and taken in to stand upon -this table, but not one had ever been brought back again. Duckiedaddles, -however, thought that they only said this to frighten her, and felt -quite sure that she should be much happier here than at home, so she -stayed, and led an easy life with her new friends—except a dispute every -now and then—for some time, when, one morning, as they were going down -to the pond, she and Curlytail were not to be seen amongst them, so they -knew directly that they were taken in to stand upon the great table, and -would never come out and swim in the pleasant water any more. - -Goosiepoosie’s story is soon told. She first flew over the hedge, and -nearly frightened a red cow, who was lying in the grass on the other -side, into fits; and then, recovering her own senses, set off home as -fast as she could go. When she arrived there, she called all her -companions around her, and told them that, after travelling a long way, -and inquiring everywhere, she found that the Queen’s house was not in -any part of this country, and she was afraid that they should never be -able to reach it; but, that if they waited quietly, perhaps there might -be some opportunity of offering up a petition to her on the subject of -their complaint. So the geese consented to wait, and as no opportunity -of presenting their petition ever occurred, they have continued to wear -their white coats ever since. - -Poor Cockielockie had a dismal time of it before he came to the end of -_his_ troubles. He, too, had flown over the hedge on the other side, and -in his great terror, continued, sometimes flying, and sometimes running, -till he came to a copse, where he thought he should be safe; so he lay -down in the thick grass, under a tree, scared and tired, and very much -out of breath. Hearing nothing of his companions, and not seeing -anything to alarm him, he remained there till the morning, dozing a -little, and dreaming of the old cat, and Mrs. Cockielockie, and every -now and then, starting up in the belief that all Farmer Cloverfield’s -waggons and horses were coming down the lane at full gallop, and that he -had not time to get out of the way. All that day he wandered unhappily -about the copse, picking up a few insects, but meeting with no -acquaintance, and not able to find any way out, he felt very lonely and -wretched, and when the daylight was nearly gone, he climbed up into a -hazel tree, and tried to go to sleep. But there was such a rustling and -twittering amongst a family of robins, who lodged just below him, and -who were talking over their plans for the winter, and the changes which -they meant to make in the spring, that it was long before he could close -his eyes. He had barely done so, when a sudden rush from below, and -frightful sounds of pain and terror roused him from his short slumber. -He flew instantly to the ground, and there, in the twilight, he -distinctly saw his former companion, the old cat, standing with two -murdered robins at her feet, while she greedily devoured a third. - -“Why, Mrs. Puss,” said he, for her mouth was too full to allow her to -speak first, “may I ask how you came here, and what you are doing?” - -“How came I here!” said she, swallowing down the last wing of the robin -as fast as she could. “I should think I had as much business here as you -have, Mr. Cockielockie, particularly if the old woman sends me, to get -her a few nice little birds for her dinner to-morrow. Of course I must -taste them first myself, to see whether they are tough, and I am sure -the one I have just swallowed was tough enough to choke me. I wonder how -I could get it down at all. I hope, for the old woman’s sake, that the -others will be more tender. And, perhaps, you will be good enough to -tell me, Mr. Cockielockie, where you have been all this time, for there -has been such a to-do at home about you, as never was known since Dame -Featherleg drowned herself in the well: Mrs. Cockielockie in hysterics, -all your family sobbing and sighing, and the old woman giving you up for -lost, and hobbling off to Farmer Cloverfield’s to inquire whether Mr. -Brush had been seen in the neighbourhood lately. For goodness’ sake go -home as fast as you can, and make their minds easy, or Mrs. Cockielockie -will be setting off in search of you, with all the family. If there -should be anything that you do not wish mentioned, you may depend, Mr. -Cockielockie, on my keeping it to myself, for I always say, the best of -us would sometimes get into trouble, if our friends made a point of -repeating every little thing that they might happen to know about us, -that seemed to them contrary to one’s duty, and all that! So, if you -will just take that turning to the right, Mr. Cockielockie, and then the -next to the left, you will be on the way to the cottage, and I will come -after you as soon as I have convinced myself that these nasty birds are -too tough to be worth carrying home, which I strongly suspect to be the -case. We shall have plenty of time to talk over our adventures as we -walk along, for it is a good step from hence for you, though nothing for -me, who am an excellent walker.” - -Cockielockie thanked Mrs. Puss for her directions, and immediately set -off on the way she pointed out, feeling very thankful for the prospect -of returning to his family, and sleeping once more in his comfortable -old place in the yew-tree. When Mrs. Puss, who very soon came up with -him, as she promised, heard his story, she said, that if he took her -advice, he would never set off on such an errand again, for if anything -so important as the stars falling out of the sky, had really happened, -she and the old woman should have been sure to hear of it, and could let -the Queen know, without troubling a meddlesome person like Miss Peck, to -whom Her Majesty would never have thought of listening for a moment. - -So Cockielockie lived very quietly with the old woman ever after; the -Queen has never been told from that day to this that the stars were -falling out of the sky, and things have gone on much the same -notwithstanding. Indeed, I know some people who think it a great pity -that Miss Peck and her companions did not stay at home, and mind their -own concerns. If they had but thought less of themselves, they would not -have been so discontented with their condition, but there is an old -proverb that, “to a crazy ship all winds are contrary,” and as, -according to another homely saying, “Every path has a puddle,” those who -spend their time in complaining, and turning this way and that, to -escape from things that they do not like, and to better themselves in -the world, are neither likely to be very useful to others, or to lead -happy and prosperous lives themselves. - - - - - -------------------------------------------------- - - MASTERS AND CO., PRINTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, LONDON. - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - - ● Transcriber’s Notes: - ○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. - ○ Typographical errors were silently corrected. - ○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only - when a predominant form was found in this book. - ○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Peck's Adventures, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS PECK'S ADVENTURES *** - -***** This file should be named 60477-0.txt or 60477-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/7/60477/ - -Produced by MFR, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - diff --git a/old/60477-0.zip b/old/60477-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3aa3281..0000000 --- a/old/60477-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60477-h.zip b/old/60477-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4921a56..0000000 --- a/old/60477-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60477-h/60477-h.htm b/old/60477-h/60477-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 4899d16..0000000 --- a/old/60477-h/60477-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,1523 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> - <title>Miss Peck’s Adventures, by L. (pseudonym)--A Project Gutenberg eBook</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 10%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - .pageno { right: 1%; font-size: x-small; background-color: inherit; color: silver; - text-indent: 0em; text-align: right; position: absolute; - border: thin solid silver; padding: .1em .2em; font-style: normal; - font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .large { font-size: large; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - .small { font-size: small; } - ul.ul_1 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 2.78%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: disc; } - ul.ul_2 {padding-left: 0; margin-left: 6.94%; margin-top: .5em; - margin-bottom: .5em; list-style-type: circle; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - div.figcenter p { text-align: center; text-indent: 0; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:515px; } - .id002 { width:494px; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:18%; width:64%; } } - @media handheld { .id002 { margin-left:19%; width:61%; } } - .ic002 { width:100%; } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c0 { text-align: left; margin: 0.5em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c002 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em; } - .c003 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 30%; width: 40%; margin-right: 30%; - margin-top: 4em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c005 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c006 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 35%; width: 30%; margin-right: 35%; - margin-top: 2em; } - .c007 { margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c008 { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c009 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 15%; width: 70%; margin-right: 15%; - margin-top: 4em; } - body {width:80%; margin:auto; } - .tnbox {background-color:#E3E4FA;border:1px solid silver;padding: 0.5em; - margin:2em 10% 0 10%; } - .blackletter {font-family: "Lucida Blackletter", Gothic, serif; } - </style> - </head> - <body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Peck's Adventures, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll -have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using -this ebook. - - - -Title: Miss Peck's Adventures - The Second Part of The Conceited Pig - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: October 12, 2019 [EBook #60477] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS PECK'S ADVENTURES *** - - - - -Produced by MFR, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> - -<div class='figcenter id002'> -<img src='images/frontis.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -<div class='ic002'> -<p>M. D. SEARS<br /><span class='sc'>See <a href='#pg8'>Page 8</a></span></p> -</div> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c002'><span class='xxlarge'>MISS PECK’S ADVENTURES.</span></h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c001'> - <div>THE SECOND PART</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>OF</span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class="blackletter"><span class='large'>The Conceited Pig.</span></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<hr class='c003' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>LONDON:</div> - <div class='c000'>JOSEPH MASTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET,</div> - <div class='c000'>AND NEW BOND STREET.</div> - <div class='c000'><span class='small'>MDCCCLIV.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> -<div class='nf-center c004'> - <div>LONDON:</div> - <div>PRINTED BY JOSEPH MASTERS AND CO.,</div> - <div>ALDERSGATE STREET.</div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c004' /> -</div> -<div class='chapter'> - <span class='pageno' id='Page_5'>5</span> - <h2 class='c005'>MISS PECK’S ADVENTURES.</h2> -</div> -<hr class='c006' /> -<p class='c007'>Any people who may happen to have read -the story of “Wilful, the Conceited Pig,” -will recollect how he had called up his friend, -Miss Peck, one night, from the henhouse, -where there had been a great disagreement -between her and Cock-a-doodle, and how -they had set off together to the Queen’s -house, to tell Her Majesty some very curious -news; also how they had very soon parted -company, not being able to agree as to which -was the right road, and how Wilful’s journey -had come to a very sad end, long before he -was anywhere near the palace of Her Majesty -the Queen. Now they may also like to -know something of Miss Peck’s adventures; -and I am therefore going to relate them, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_6'>6</span>thinking that, perhaps, we may find almost -as much to take warning by, in her history, -as in Wilful’s conceit, and the terrible punishment -it met with.</p> -<p class='c008'>Miss Peck felt rather lonely at first, when -she found herself out in the dusky lane alone, -at that time of night; but still she could not -help chuckling to think how Wilful had persisted -in taking the wrong road, and was -travelling all for nothing, whilst she was sure -to reach the Queen’s house in time, if her -poor legs would but carry her far enough.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“There is no need to go so fast, at any -rate,” she thought to herself. “If we got -to the palace so early in the morning very -likely Her Majesty the Queen would not be -up, as I would have told Wilful, only he -never will stop to listen to a word one has to -say. Why our old David at home never -gets up to give us our breakfast till Cock-a-doodle -has walked round the yard several -times, talked to all his family, told them his -dreams—which, I must, say, I am very tired -of hearing—and crowed over and over again. -I am sure if it were not for the early walk -into the rick-pen, which I make a point of -taking every morning, and the little bit of -support that I get there, I should be dead with -hunger long before breakfast time; but nobody -ever seems to remember how delicate my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_7'>7</span>health is, and old David would not get up a -bit the sooner, I verily believe, if I were dying. -However, it is better than if Betsy Chopper -had the feeding of us entirely, for I know that -the smoke never begins to come out of the -kitchen chimney till a little while before she -gives us our dinner, and what the family do -for something to eat I never can think. -The poor ladies, I know, never look out of -window or get a breath of air till the middle -of the day in summer, and I believe they -have no rick-pen to go to, and are obliged -to wait till Betsy Chopper chooses to get -up and feed them. The Queen may very -likely not be as late as Betsy Chopper; but -it is ten to one if she is as early as old -David, so there can be no occasion to hurry -oneself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>So Miss Peck walked on in a leisurely -manner, picking her way along the dirty lane, -as well as the darkness would allow, and -every now and then stopping a minute or -two to rest her poor legs by turns.</p> - -<p class='c008'><a id='pg8'></a>Now not very far from Miss Peck’s own -residence there stood a poor tumble-down -cottage, in which lived an old woman, who -kept a thin tortoiseshell cat and a little poultry. -And on each side of the small wicket-gate -leading to the cottage—which was close -to the lane—stood a very thick yew-tree, cut -<span class='pageno' id='Page_8'>8</span>into the form of a sugar-loaf at the top. -Miss Peck was not brave, and when she -reached this part of the lane, and saw, as -she thought, two black giants, with plumes -on their heads, standing not far before her, -she was so horribly frightened that she -screamed with all her might, and was very -near running back the way she came, faster -than she had ever run before. However, -she had just resolution enough to stop and -think what was best to be done, when, -strange to say, one of the giants seemed to -cry out Cock-a-doodle-doo, in a voice of -thunder, and, all at once, came flapping -down upon poor Miss Peck, rolling her over -in the mud, and nearly driving all the breath -out of her body with the shock and the -terror. Getting on her legs again somehow -or other, she ran behind a little heap of -stones, where she stood panting and trembling, -and with ruffled feathers, when again -the same hateful cry rang in her ears, repeated -three times, even louder than before—“Cock-a-doodle-doo, -Cock-a-doodle-doo, -Cock-a-doodle-doo!” Scarcely daring to -look round, and expecting every instant to be -swallowed up alive, or torn to pieces by one -of the giants, Miss Peck wished herself safe -at home again, with all her might, in spite -of Cock-a-doodle’s tyranny, when, luckily, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_9'>9</span>there came a faint gleam of light, and she -saw, as she thought, Cock-a-doodle himself -sitting on the top of the little wicket-gate -between the two yew-trees. Could it have -been he who had given her such a fright on -purpose, or had he come out all this way to -find her, and bring her home, and tell her -how sorry he was not to have shown her -more attention? She crept a little nearer, -and, hoping to move his pity, gave a faint -cry, as if she were in great pain and distress. -“Who is that?” said a voice, which was not -Cock-a-doodle’s; and Miss Peck replied directly -“that she was an unfortunate young -person who was travelling across the country -on business of importance, and she hoped -that the gentleman to whom she was speaking, -whoever he might be, would take pity -upon her, and protect her from the dangers -which surrounded her, for, indeed, she never -was so frightened in all her life, and she did -not know how she should ever find courage -to continue her journey.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“But, madam, might I ask,” said the -gentleman on the gate, “what the important -business is, which obliges you to be on the -road at this time of night?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I will tell you, sir, with the greatest -pleasure,” said Miss Peck, “although my -poor nerves are so shaken that I can scarcely -<span class='pageno' id='Page_10'>10</span>speak, but if you could come a little nearer -I should not be obliged to talk so loud.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, you will not disturb the old woman,” -said her new acquaintance, “and -as to the old cat, I saw her go by some time -ago, and I believe she is spending the evening -with the young jackdaws, who live in -the church-roof. She has taken a great -fancy to that family lately, and says that she -finds them very agreeable, though shy; but -I should doubt whether they were very fond -of <i>her</i>, for you must know, madam, that the -old cat is, in my opinion, one of the most -conceited and selfish persons that ever lived, -and if the old woman knew all her bad ways -I do not think that she could allow her to -continue in the house.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Ah, indeed!” said Miss Peck, “well -do I know, sir, what it is to have to do with -that sort of people. From your account I -should fear that the old cat was very little -better than Cock-a-doodle himself.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Miss Peck then proceeded to give a long -history of Cock-a-doodle’s unkindness to her, -her own dreadful sufferings from spasms, -which deprived her of her natural rest,—Miss -Spangle’s spitefulness, in continuing -fast asleep without once offering to help her,—and -then the whole account of Wilful’s -visit to the henhouse, and their setting off -<span class='pageno' id='Page_11'>11</span>together to tell the Queen that the stars -were falling out of the sky.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And now, sir,” added Miss Peck, “perhaps -you will do me the great kindness to -tell me your name, for I have no doubt now, -that it was entirely owing to your interference, -that I was not swallowed alive by -one of those horrible giants, which gave me -such an alarm just now.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name, madam,” answered the -stranger, “is Cockielockie, at your service, -but I think, owing to your youth and inexperience, -you have probably mistaken these -two respectable old yew trees, in one of -which the seven ladies of my family are -sleeping at this moment, for giants, or perhaps -their shadows across the road deceived -you, or it might be the old cat returning -from her visit to the Jackdaws. At any -rate, madam, here are no giants, I assure -you, for the truth is that the old woman -leads such a dull life that no giant ever -comes near the place, and I have not seen -so much as the face of Tim Scamp, the -little pedlar, for the last six months. It is -very sad to live so out of the world, and I -must confess that I should like a little more -society. The old woman is so particular -and old-fashioned; and the cat is so ill-mannered -and vulgar, that it is very trying -<span class='pageno' id='Page_12'>12</span>to one’s patience, and I do not find much -comfort in my own family, for I am sorry to -say that they are always quarrelling. I -cannot speak to one without the other’s -being jealous, and to tell the truth, (though -I am sure you will not repeat it,) I was -awoke just now by the screams of my two -daughters, Partridge and Speckle, who had -had their ears boxed by Mrs. Cockielockie, -for saying that they knew I wished she was -dead! If I do wish it, they need not have -told her so, and now I shall never hear the -last of it. If I could but get away for a -time, it might blow over, or Mrs. Cockielockie -might be gone.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well, my dear sir,” said Miss Peck, -interrupting him, “why cannot you come -with me to the Queen? It would be an -opportunity of introducing yourself to the -very highest society, and I should be delighted -with the honour of your company. -Indeed, I really feel very lonely, travelling -all by myself, and am very much in want of -protection, which is just what I am sure, sir, -you are always ready to afford to a poor -weak young creature, like myself, though -whenever one complains of helplessness, it -seems to make some people, that I could -mention, more spiteful and tyrannical than -ever!”</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='pageno' id='Page_13'>13</span>“Believe me, dear madam,” said Cockielockie,—who -was very much pleased at the -idea of paying a visit to the Queen,—“believe -me, that never could be my case, -I will accompany you instantly with the -greatest pleasure, and I trust that, if we -should meet with any enemies on the road -you will find my spurs quite able to defend -you from them. Under these circumstances, -madam, I shall set off without giving my -usual crow, which, hitherto, I have never -failed to perform at this hour. It was my -dear mother’s first and last lesson to me. -She took the greatest pains to teach it me -when young, and I remember how vexed she -used to be when I forgot my crows, or cut -them so short that no one could understand -what I said, or did not repeat them exactly -at the right time. She told me that if I -went on so I should be good for nothing, -and might as well be boiled at once; and -the last thing she said to me, before she -disappeared, and I fear was boiled herself, -was, ‘Cockie, mind your crows.’ To tell -the truth, however, now, my dear Miss -Peck, I am afraid of waking the ladies in -the yew-tree. Mrs. Cockielockie would -make such a fuss, and then the old woman -might be disturbed, for though she is very -deaf, I have heard the cat say that she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_14'>14</span>always hears when you most wish she should -not; for there was a small piece of the tail -of a red herring which she promised one -evening at supper to give to her,—at least -so Mrs. Puss told me,—and then she put it -away in the cupboard, and went to bed, and -forgot it! So the cat being hungry, could -not go to sleep, and was just getting into the -cupboard, to eat her own bit of fish, when -down came the old woman to know what all -that scratching and scrambling was about, -and the cat was forced to pretend to be -catching a mouse, and never got the herring -after all, for the old woman locked it up, -and took the key away with her. I think, -therefore, madam, although it seems to be -neglecting one’s duties, that we had better -set off as quietly as possible.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>So saying, Cockielockie shook himself -gently, brushed his feathers, scraped his -claws, and then came down from the little -wicket-gate, on which he had all this time -been sitting, and asked Miss Peck if she -was now ready to go on.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Miss Peck, having quite recovered from -her fright, had been impatient to proceed on -her journey all the time that Cockielockie -was talking, so on they went, talking pleasantly -all the way of their different sufferings, -and the hard trials they each of them -<span class='pageno' id='Page_15'>15</span>met with from undeserved persecutions at -home.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And they went, and they went, and they -went down the lane, round the turning, and -up the hill to the left, till they saw something -white moving slowly on before them -which, when they came nearer, seemed to -be a duck, but its head hung down so -wretchedly, its wings were so drooping, and -its whole air so forlorn, that Miss Peck -herself doubted, at first, what it could be. -But when they came quite close, they saw -that they were not mistaken, so Cockielockie, -who had always a word for everybody, -said in a cheerful manner:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How do you do, Duckiedaddles? You -are up early this dark morning. Where -may you be going to, if I may venture to -ask the question?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>The duck shook her head sadly, heaved -a sigh, and said:</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, Cockielockie, I am a poor wretched -creature, who can find no pleasure in life, -and have had great misfortunes, and so I am -going to consult an old friend, who lives a -little way off, about making my will, and -then return home, and hang myself in the -well rope, behind the carthouse.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Oh, pray, my dear madam,” exclaimed -Miss Peck, “pray do not say such shocking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_16'>16</span>things, or you will quite overcome me, for -my feelings are very soon upset, owing to -my unfortunate spasms. I am sure that my -friend, Cockielockie, will be able to do -everything in the world for you, if you will -only explain the case to him.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Thank you, Hennypenny,” answered -the duck, while her tears fell fast: “I will -tell you all about it, though I fear that -Cockielockie will never be able to do me -any good. My sorrow is owing to my -having had my family taken away from -me, and my own little ones brought up by -a stranger, and one of the last persons whom -I should ever have chosen to put them -under. One evening I was returning home, -having been out for a little walk round the -shrubbery with my friend Mrs. Gobble, -when I found that my nest was taken away, -and so the tiresome life that I had been -leading, sitting there, day after day, for -hours together, was all trouble for nothing. -It was the third time that the very same -thing had happened to me, and whether it -was one of Master Samuel’s mischievous -tricks, or, whether Jem, the old carter, who -was always meddling with what did not -concern him, was at the bottom of it, I -could not guess, for I was then far from -suspecting the right person; and so was -<span class='pageno' id='Page_17'>17</span>Mrs. Gobble, for I went to her directly, and -though she was sorry to see me vexed, she -said it was a good thing that I should not -have to stay at home so much, for she was -sure I must have been nearly moped to -death, and she would not have led such a -dull life, for all the little yellow ducklings -that ever were seen. So I got over my -disappointment as well as I could, and I -remember that a party of us went out walking -that evening, and the weather was -beautiful, pouring rain every minute, and -puddles running here and there, and everything -so nice and wet, and I caught eleven -large slugs, and felt much more contented. -Indeed I had quite forgotten all about it, -when, a long time afterwards, as I was -coming in from a swimming match with -some friends, one morning, what should I -see but six or seven handsome little yellow -ducklings, running in and out of a new -house, which stood not far from the water. -I looked very hard at them, for I suspected -how it was, and as I passed close to the -house, which was open in front, I looked in, -and saw Mrs. Topknot sitting there as grand -as could be, and spreading herself out as if -she did not know how to be proud enough. -She was always giving herself airs, I must -tell you, and never was so civil to me as she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_18'>18</span>ought to have been, but being of a meek -disposition myself, I just stopped for a -minute, and said, ‘Good morning, Mrs. -Topknot. Whose is this lovely young family -that you seem to have about you?’ -‘Whose?’ she answered, as shortly as -possible. ‘Why your own to be sure, Mrs. -Daddles, and I am going to bring them up, -for everybody knows that you are such a -gossiping, gadabout creature, that you are -not fit to have the management of a family. -You may think yourself very lucky that -your young ones should be placed under the -charge of such a wise and well-informed person -as I am, instead of being left to shift for -themselves, as they would be if they depended -upon your care.’</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I was so full of grief and anger at hearing -this speech, that I could hardly speak, -and, as if to enrage me still more, Mrs. -Topknot called out to the ducklings to come -to her directly, and I saw that the little -dears did not dare to disobey her; so in -they ran, and she shuffled them all under -her wings, and would not even let me look -at them, but one got his head half-out, and -peeped at me, as much as to say, that if he -could do as he liked, he would not be -squeezed up in that way long.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“‘And do you really mean to refuse to -<span class='pageno' id='Page_19'>19</span>let me take away my own little ducklings, -Mrs. Topknot?’ said I, ‘because, in that -case I shall go immediately to Jem, the -carter, and get him to wring your neck!’</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Mrs. Topknot only gave a scornful -laugh and answered, ‘As if anybody would -mind what you said, indeed! You should -have stayed at home, and attended to your -own affairs instead of always sauntering -about with that lazy Mrs. Gobble. Be -thankful that your family are sure of a good -education. I shall not allow them to get -into any of the dirty, dabbling ways, that -you, and all your relations, are so fond of, I -can tell you!’</p> - -<p class='c008'>“‘Very well, Mrs. Topknot,’ I answered: -‘I see you think yourself wiser than everybody -else, as usual; but depend upon it, -though you may bring up very good -chickens, you will never make good ducklings -as long as you live. It is quite a -different thing, and so I shall tell Jem, the -carter, since he has not the sense to know it -already. Pray can you swim, Mrs. Topknot? -Can you earn an independent living -in a gutter? Can you eat slugs? You -know that you, and all your family, are -poor, helpless, delicate creatures, afraid of -getting your feet wet, and obliged to live on -the charity of Jem, the carter. How should -<span class='pageno' id='Page_20'>20</span>you be able to bring up young ducklings to -do their duty in their own station? You -are quite mistaken if you expect ever to -make chickens of them. I know by the -look of their feet, that they will take to the -water in spite of you, and then pray what -will you do? Just let them come with me, -and I will soon show you what little ducklings -are made for. You have no right to -keep my children squeezed up in that -corner, where they can scarcely breathe. -I know you will kill them before you have -done.’</p> - -<p class='c008'>“So I went on, begging and praying Mrs. -Topknot to restore to me my own family, -and even shedding tears to move her pity, -but all in vain. She would not mind a word -I said, and, in the greatest affliction, I went -off to Mrs. Gobble, to ask her opinion about -what was to be done. But Mrs. Gobble -was just going out walking with a friend, -and would hardly find time to listen to my -story. She only said, that if I thought Jem, -the carter, would understand anything about -it, I should only be disappointed, for he was -always doing the most foolish things, and -making mischief in the yard in almost every -family. I felt, therefore, that it was not of -the least use to complain to him, for he -would have been quite as likely to wring my -<span class='pageno' id='Page_21'>21</span>neck, as Mrs. Topknot’s, and being weary -of such an unkind world, and Mrs. Gobble -not asking me to go with her and her friend -I determined to hang myself in the well-rope, -as I said; only as I have a small piece -of cabbage-leaf behind the pig-sty, and two -young snails in a corner of the garden-wall, -I think it best to make my will; for, my -dear Mr. Cockielockie, and Mrs. Hennypenny, -you must now see that my distress is -too great to admit of any relief.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name,” said Miss Peck, rather angrily, -as soon as Duckiedaddles ceased speaking, -“is not Hennypenny, Mrs. Daddles; -and I must say, though extremely sorry for -your misfortunes, that I think grief must have -confused your mind a little, or you would not -have made such a mistake about a young -person like myself. My name is Miss Peck, -and I and my friend Mr. Cockielockie are -on our way to Her Most Gracious Majesty -the Queen, to tell her that the stars are all -falling out of the sky.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“And I think, Mrs. Daddles,” interrupted -Cockielockie, “that you cannot do better -than come along with us, and then you will -have an opportunity of laying your melancholy -case before Her Majesty, who very -likely will order Mrs. Topknot and Jem the -carter’s heads to be sent to her immediately; -<span class='pageno' id='Page_22'>22</span>for I know she is particular about her own -family, and would be very angry if any -one were to take them away from her, and -instead of letting them grow into good little -kings and queens, with crowns on their -heads, as they ought to do, were to try to -make them wear topknots and live upon -barley meal.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Mrs. Daddles was very willing to agree to -Cockielockie’s proposal, for, as she said, she -could see about making her will when she -came back. So they went, and they went, -and they went, until, turning a corner of the -lane, what should they see walking towards -them, in a grave and solemn manner, but a -goose.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Good morning, Duckiedaddles, Cockielockie, -Hennypenny,” said she, bowing very -politely at the same time.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“My name, madam,” said the unlucky -Peck, taking care to answer before the -others, “my name is Miss Peck; but you -are quite correct as to my two companions, -Mr. Cockielockie and Mrs. Duckiedaddles, -who have had the kindness to accompany -me on a journey of great importance, which -it has been my duty to undertake. And I -am sure, unused as I am to travelling alone, -I do not know what I should do without the -support of their society. Will you allow me -<span class='pageno' id='Page_23'>23</span>to ask, Mrs. Goosiepoosie, where you are -going to so early in the morning?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am going,” answered Mrs. Goosiepoosie, -putting on an air of great importance, -“to make an early visit to Her Majesty the -Queen, on very pressing business.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“To the Queen!” they all exclaimed at -once. “Pray, madam, do us the favour to -tell us your errand?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, to tell the truth,” replied Goosiepoosie, -“it is a secret known only at present -to my own family, but I have no objection to -mentioning it so to such respectable people as -yourselves, as I am sure you are quite to be -trusted. You are aware that I and all my -family have been accustomed from generation -to generation, to dress in white, and -have hitherto allowed our young ones to -wear coats of the same colour as soon as they -are old enough to take care of them. But -at last we have quite grown tired of this -style of dress. It was very well for our -grandfathers and grandmothers, but now it -looks old-fashioned and dowdy, and, besides -requires a great deal of washing, which -makes it expensive; and so I am going to -beg the Queen to give an order for our -having in future black coats, which will be -much more becoming, and will entitle us to -as high a place in society as the Turkey -<span class='pageno' id='Page_24'>24</span>family, who now give themselves such airs -and graces over us—as if an old-fashioned -British goose, whose family has belonged to -the country and supported the state in all -times, and has led an honest and quiet life -from father to son, were not much more respectable -than such upstarts as themselves, -who half ruin all their friends, and cannot -speak English so as to be understood.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Very true, madam,” exclaimed Cockielockie, -“your observations have a great deal -of weight, only I almost wonder that you -should wish to adopt any imitation of the -dress of these foreigners, instead of retaining -that which your grandfathers and grandmothers -seem to have found the most comfortable -and convenient, and, I am sure, -would never have changed for the sake of -making themselves more like the Turkeys. -If you are tired of white, why do you not -ask leave to wear brown and red coats like -ours, which have always been very much -admired, and are so much handsomer than -black ones?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, sir,” rejoined Mrs. Goosiepoosie, -“I do not see that your coats are any better -than our own; and it is not very likely that -Father Gander and all the heads of the -family would have sent me off on such a -long journey to Her Majesty just to ask her -<span class='pageno' id='Page_25'>25</span>leave to change our dress, for no reason at -all.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I thought you said, madam, just now,” -replied Cockielockie, rather slyly, “that you -found your old white coats dowdy and expensive. -I much fear, however, that you -will be obliged to wear them some little -time longer yet, for as you are going exactly -the wrong way, it is not probable that you -will ever reach the palace of Her Majesty -the Queen.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I beg your pardon,” replied Goosiepoosie, -“but as I consulted old Father Gander -before I started, and have carefully -attended to his directions, which were to -keep straight on, without turning to the -right leg or to the left, I cannot possibly -have gone wrong.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Well,” exclaimed Miss Peck, rather -sharply, “I can only tell you, madam, that -<i>we</i> are now on our way to the residence of -Her Majesty, on very important business -indeed, and as we have already travelled -some distance, we expect very shortly to -arrive there. It is not likely that persons of -our rank in life should not know where our -gracious Sovereign lives, having, of course, -often heard the bells ring on her birthday, -and also assisted Betsy Chopper in clearing -away the crumbs, after a feast that was given -<span class='pageno' id='Page_26'>26</span>us in honour of it, on a large table, under -the chestnut trees, not very long ago. There -were a great many cakes and curious things -to eat, but the naughty children came -swarming round the table, and stole them, -before we knew of it, though they were all -intended for us; so even Cock-a-doodle got -nothing better than crumbs—and good -enough for him, too. He gave Miss Spangle -one of the largest he found, and never -offered me a bit, although I was leaning -against one leg of the table, close to him, at -the time, and suffering agonies of pain from -a sudden attack of cramp in my poor leg. -But such is the way I have always been -treated. However, madam, I can assure you -that you had much better attend to what we -say, and not go on in this direction, or you -will never get to your journey’s end.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“I am much obliged to you, madam, for -your good advice,” replied Goosiepoosie, with -a formal bow, “but Father Gander is certain -to be right, and I shall continue to follow -the road which he pointed out.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Then you are an obstinate goose for your -pains,” cried Cockielockie, much provoked, -“and may wear your vulgar white coat all -your life, for any chance there is of the -Queen’s giving you leave to change it.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Goosiepoosie made a very angry reply, -<span class='pageno' id='Page_27'>27</span>and the quarrel might have continued to -this time, but just then old Simon Joggle, -the carrier, was coming along the road, and -so loud and vehement had been the dispute -that they did not hear the wheels of his cart -till it was quite close to them. He was -driving pretty fast, and they were standing -near the middle of the road, so that there -was scarcely time to get out of the way. The -unfortunate Miss Peck screamed violently, -and in her agitation, not thinking where -she was going, she ran under one of the cart -wheels, and it was no longer any joke about -her poor left leg, for the wheel went over it -and broke the bone.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Her cries were so terrible, and there was -such noise and confusion, and flapping of -wings, at the same instant, that old Simon, -who could not see in the glimmering light -what was the matter, stopped his horse and -got out of the cart. Poor Miss Peck, whose -screams soon showed him where she was, -tried to get away when he came near her, -but she only fell down in great pain whenever -she attempted to move. If the cramp -in her leg, from which she used to suffer so -much, especially when she was cross, had -disabled her half as much as this sad accident, -Cock-a-doodle could never have been -so barbarous as to refuse to help her up the -<span class='pageno' id='Page_28'>28</span>henhouse stairs, if fifty Miss Spangles had -been near him at the same time. It was in -vain that she struggled, and screamed, and -scrambled along the ground. She was soon -in old Simon’s clutches, who was quickly -sitting in his cart again, with the reins in -his hand, as if nothing had happened.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But I fear that something very sad <i>had</i> -happened; and I am quite sure, whatever -might be her fate, that poor Miss Peck -was never more seen or heard of, although -Cock-a-doodle thought it right to make every -inquiry after her, and was very much -shocked at the report which was whispered -about the yard the next morning, that she -had escaped from the henhouse, and gone off -on a journey with young Master Wilful the -conceited pig.</p> - -<p class='c008'>But what became of Cockielockie, Goosiepoosie, -and Duckiedaddles? They had suffered -a terrible fright, and almost lost their -senses, when old Simon’s cart came so suddenly -upon them; Duckiedaddles, being the -last to see the danger, in her haste, somehow -knocked herself against one of the horse’s -legs, and was so stunned by the blow that -she lay for some minutes quite insensible. -When she recovered she could see nothing -of her companions; old Simon’s cart was -just moving away, and there was a shrieking -<span class='pageno' id='Page_29'>29</span>sound from the inside, which Duckie thought—but -it might have been fancy—must be -like the voice of Miss Peck in a very bad -spasm. When the cart was quite out of -sight, Duckie hobbled along till she came to -a little brook that crossed the road, and -plunging gladly into it, she swam through -an arch under the hedge, and along some -meadows, till she came to a pond, where, to -her great delight, she found several of her -own relations enjoying an early swim. She -told them her story, with many tears and -complaints, as she had done to Cockielockie -and poor Miss Peck, and begged to know -whether she might remain with them, and -so escape for ever from the tyranny and -insolence of Mrs. Topknot and Jem the -carter.</p> - -<p class='c008'>They told her that she was welcome to -stay if she pleased, but it was right to mention -that they were particularly subject to -very severe misfortunes, in the frequent -losses sustained by their families, as there -was a house very near them, in which a large -table was kept, and at any moment one of -them might be seized, and taken in to stand -upon this table, but not one had ever been -brought back again. Duckiedaddles, however, -thought that they only said this to -frighten her, and felt quite sure that she -<span class='pageno' id='Page_30'>30</span>should be much happier here than at home, -so she stayed, and led an easy life with her -new friends—except a dispute every now and -then—for some time, when, one morning, as -they were going down to the pond, she and -Curlytail were not to be seen amongst them, -so they knew directly that they were taken -in to stand upon the great table, and would -never come out and swim in the pleasant -water any more.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Goosiepoosie’s story is soon told. She -first flew over the hedge, and nearly -frightened a red cow, who was lying in the -grass on the other side, into fits; and then, -recovering her own senses, set off home as -fast as she could go. When she arrived -there, she called all her companions around -her, and told them that, after travelling a -long way, and inquiring everywhere, she -found that the Queen’s house was not in -any part of this country, and she was afraid -that they should never be able to reach it; -but, that if they waited quietly, perhaps -there might be some opportunity of offering -up a petition to her on the subject of their -complaint. So the geese consented to wait, -and as no opportunity of presenting their -petition ever occurred, they have continued -to wear their white coats ever since.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Poor Cockielockie had a dismal time of it -<span class='pageno' id='Page_31'>31</span>before he came to the end of <i>his</i> troubles. -He, too, had flown over the hedge on the -other side, and in his great terror, continued, -sometimes flying, and sometimes running, -till he came to a copse, where he thought he -should be safe; so he lay down in the thick -grass, under a tree, scared and tired, and -very much out of breath. Hearing nothing -of his companions, and not seeing anything -to alarm him, he remained there till the -morning, dozing a little, and dreaming of -the old cat, and Mrs. Cockielockie, and -every now and then, starting up in the belief -that all Farmer Cloverfield’s waggons and -horses were coming down the lane at full -gallop, and that he had not time to get out -of the way. All that day he wandered unhappily -about the copse, picking up a few -insects, but meeting with no acquaintance, -and not able to find any way out, he felt -very lonely and wretched, and when the daylight -was nearly gone, he climbed up into a -hazel tree, and tried to go to sleep. But -there was such a rustling and twittering -amongst a family of robins, who lodged just -below him, and who were talking over their -plans for the winter, and the changes which -they meant to make in the spring, that it -was long before he could close his eyes. He -had barely done so, when a sudden rush -<span class='pageno' id='Page_32'>32</span>from below, and frightful sounds of pain and -terror roused him from his short slumber. -He flew instantly to the ground, and there, -in the twilight, he distinctly saw his former -companion, the old cat, standing with two -murdered robins at her feet, while she -greedily devoured a third.</p> - -<p class='c008'>“Why, Mrs. Puss,” said he, for her -mouth was too full to allow her to speak -first, “may I ask how you came here, and -what you are doing?”</p> - -<p class='c008'>“How came I here!” said she, swallowing -down the last wing of the robin as fast as -she could. “I should think I had as much -business here as you have, Mr. Cockielockie, -particularly if the old woman sends me, to -get her a few nice little birds for her dinner -to-morrow. Of course I must taste them -first myself, to see whether they are tough, -and I am sure the one I have just swallowed -was tough enough to choke me. I wonder -how I could get it down at all. I hope, for -the old woman’s sake, that the others will -be more tender. And, perhaps, you will be -good enough to tell me, Mr. Cockielockie, -where you have been all this time, for there -has been such a to-do at home about you, -as never was known since Dame Featherleg -drowned herself in the well: Mrs. Cockielockie -in hysterics, all your family sobbing -<span class='pageno' id='Page_33'>33</span>and sighing, and the old woman giving you -up for lost, and hobbling off to Farmer -Cloverfield’s to inquire whether Mr. Brush -had been seen in the neighbourhood lately. -For goodness’ sake go home as fast as you -can, and make their minds easy, or Mrs. -Cockielockie will be setting off in search of -you, with all the family. If there should be -anything that you do not wish mentioned, -you may depend, Mr. Cockielockie, on my -keeping it to myself, for I always say, the -best of us would sometimes get into trouble, -if our friends made a point of repeating every -little thing that they might happen to know -about us, that seemed to them contrary to -one’s duty, and all that! So, if you will just -take that turning to the right, Mr. Cockielockie, -and then the next to the left, you will -be on the way to the cottage, and I will come -after you as soon as I have convinced myself -that these nasty birds are too tough to be -worth carrying home, which I strongly suspect -to be the case. We shall have plenty -of time to talk over our adventures as we -walk along, for it is a good step from hence -for you, though nothing for me, who am an -excellent walker.”</p> - -<p class='c008'>Cockielockie thanked Mrs. Puss for her -directions, and immediately set off on the -way she pointed out, feeling very thankful -<span class='pageno' id='Page_34'>34</span>for the prospect of returning to his family, -and sleeping once more in his comfortable -old place in the yew-tree. When Mrs. Puss, -who very soon came up with him, as she -promised, heard his story, she said, that if -he took her advice, he would never set off -on such an errand again, for if anything so -important as the stars falling out of the sky, -had really happened, she and the old woman -should have been sure to hear of it, and -could let the Queen know, without troubling -a meddlesome person like Miss Peck, to -whom Her Majesty would never have -thought of listening for a moment.</p> - -<p class='c008'>So Cockielockie lived very quietly with -the old woman ever after; the Queen has -never been told from that day to this that -the stars were falling out of the sky, and -things have gone on much the same notwithstanding. -Indeed, I know some people -who think it a great pity that Miss Peck and -her companions did not stay at home, and -mind their own concerns. If they had but -thought less of themselves, they would not -have been so discontented with their condition, -but there is an old proverb that, “to -a crazy ship all winds are contrary,” and as, -according to another homely saying, “Every -path has a puddle,” those who spend their -time in complaining, and turning this way -<span class='pageno' id='Page_35'>35</span>and that, to escape from things that they do -not like, and to better themselves in the -world, are neither likely to be very useful -to others, or to lead happy and prosperous -lives themselves.</p> -<hr class='c009' /> - -<div class='nf-center-c0'> - <div class='nf-center'> - <div><span class='small'>MASTERS AND CO., PRINTERS, ALDERSGATE STREET, LONDON.</span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c001' /> -</div> -<p class='c008'> </p> -<div class='tnbox'> - - <ul class='ul_1 c001'> - <li>Transcriber’s Notes: - <ul class='ul_2'> - <li>Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Typographical errors were silently corrected. - </li> - <li>Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only when a predominant - form was found in this book. - </li> - </ul> - </li> - </ul> - -</div> -<p class='c008'> </p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Miss Peck's Adventures, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MISS PECK'S ADVENTURES *** - -***** This file should be named 60477-h.htm or 60477-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/6/0/4/7/60477/ - -Produced by MFR, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for the eBooks, unless you receive -specific permission. If you do not charge anything for copies of this -eBook, complying with the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook -for nearly any purpose such as creation of derivative works, reports, -performances and research. They may be modified and printed and given -away--you may do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks -not protected by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the -trademark license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country outside the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you'll have to check the laws of the country where you - are located before using this ebook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and The -Project Gutenberg Trademark LLC, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark. Contact the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's principal office is in Fairbanks, Alaska, with the -mailing address: PO Box 750175, Fairbanks, AK 99775, but its -volunteers and employees are scattered throughout numerous -locations. Its business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, Salt -Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up to -date contact information can be found at the Foundation's web site and -official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -For additional contact information: - - Dr. Gregory B. Newby - Chief Executive and Director - gbnewby@pglaf.org - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide -spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. - - - -</pre> - - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57c on 2019-09-12 21:35:36 GMT --> -</html> diff --git a/old/60477-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/60477-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 9836497..0000000 --- a/old/60477-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/60477-h/images/frontis.jpg b/old/60477-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cb93bb0..0000000 --- a/old/60477-h/images/frontis.jpg +++ /dev/null |
